As I followed the launching of Bulgaria’s presidency of the Council of the EU, I was struck by the negative observations from various international commentators. Headlines like ‘Bulgarian far right set to shock Brussels’ and ‘Cloud of corruption hangs over Bulgaria as it takes up EU presidency’ are examples of this.
The alleged credibility problems of the Bulgarian presidency and the resulting potential dangers for the EU confirm the view that national reputation, as well as the personal reputation of government members, matter enormously in the conduct of a country’s diplomacy and in the pursuit of its political and economic objectives.
Academic studies of national reputation suggest that a nation’s reputation creates an enabling or a disabling environment in which the nation state pursues its national objectives and policies in a global arena. According to expert studies, national reputation unquestionably influences the attitudes and disposition of international stakeholders in the conduct of political and economic negotiations.
National reputation can prosaically be described as “having a good name” among other nations and foreign populations. It often leads to a collective judgement about the image and character of a nation by foreign public opinions. It can easily become the gauge by which a nation’s credibility is measured and its future behaviour predicted.
It is not surprising, therefore, that governments worldwide dedicate substantial efforts and resources towards managing their nation’s reputation. The management of national reputation remains an integral part of foreign policy-making and is central to the conduct of public diplomacy.
In my view, these considerations about a nation’s reputation should make one careful before spouting out allegations that may damage our national reputation and harm the key assets that give our economy a comparative advantage.
While writing this, I wish to stress most emphatically that this care and due regard to our national reputation should be maintained without prejudice to our tradition of rule of law and the fundamental right of freedom of expression.
Our common national interest should unite us in upholding Malta’s reputation abroad. Successive governments have taken care to cultivate Malta’s reputation. They have succeeded in building a good name for Malta as a peace-seeking nation with sound democratic credentials and with a business and tourism-friendly environment.
Malta’s reputation for stability and good governance brought investment and prosperity to its people. Under the current administration it is backing an unprecedented economic growth that is supporting and sustaining extensive social services, including an efficient free health service, free education for all, and a sustainable pensions system, among many other important and targeted measures also introduced recently such as free child-care services.
These achievements in the consolidation of Malta’s national reputation are reflected in the ‘scorecard diplomacy’ which has become widespread over recent years, thanks to the ease with which data can be collected, managed and spread globally in this digital age.
International institutions, as well as numerous NGOs, use updated information technology tools to disseminate world rankings in numerous domains, ranging from business competitiveness to human rights, sports and leisure.
Malta’s sound performance on published world rankings is confirmed by the high quality statistical data and detailed surveys regularly published by Eurostat. A quick glance at the most quoted rankings points to a very positive image of Malta.
It is unbelievable that some partisan elements within our own community are wittingly or unwittingly harming Malta’s reputation
One may start with the big three credit rating agencies, Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s and Fitch, which regularly confirm Malta’s sound ranking as a reliable and safe investment destination.
One may continue with the many published rankings that relate to Malta’s performance in the areas of economic growth, social well-being, civil rights and civil liberties, media freedom, gender equality, religious identity and practically all aspects that concern our everyday life.
For the vast majority of the electorate it is unbelievable that some partisan elements within our own community are wittingly or unwittingly harming Malta’s reputation particularly within the European family.
A further proof of Malta’s high standing in the public opinion of foreign populations is provided by our flourishing tourism industry. Tourism plays a double role with regard to national reputation. On the one hand it can serve as a reliable indicator of a country’s reputation abroad. On the other hand, tourism is an important factor which helps shaping a country’s image among foreign populations.
The experience of tourists travelling from one location to another has an important influence on the perceptions they form about other countries. Malta’s successful tourism industry is well credited for its role in the economic, social and cultural development of our islands.
The current concerted attack on Malta’s reputation could potentially deal an equally severe body blow to our financial services sector, which currently contributes 12 per cent to Malta’s GDP.
It is indeed regrettable that those so keen on ruining Malta’s reputation, with total disregard to our national interest, are playing into the hands of foreign nations which are very eager to benefit from Malta’s losses in this sector.
The ultimate outrage to our national interest would be the triggering of the procedure under Article 7 of the Lisbon Treaty which could lead to sanctions and the suspension of voting rights of Malta as an EU member state.
It is deplorable that the possibility of such measures against Malta is being contemplated within certain cliques of the EP, fuelled by Maltese partisan members acting on a partisan agenda and who should clearly know better.
In spite of these frontal attacks on its reputation, Malta continues to ride high among the community of nations.
There is no denying that under Prime Minister Joseph Muscat’s administration Malta’s profile on the international stage has hit new heights as it successfully hosted CHOGM, the Valletta Migration Summit, and impeccably conducted the rotating EU presidency during the first semester of 2017. The successful launching of V18 is expected to consolidate our international reputation.
Nonetheless, we cannot take anything for granted. We need to keep working tirelessly to preserve our reputation both locally and overseas.
Each and every one of us have a part in this, as does every politician who must not act irresponsibly and seek to gain perceived partisan brownie points on the political adversaries even at the risk of seriously jeopardising the economic well-being and jobs of all Maltese and Gozitans.
Edward Zammit Lewis is a Labour Party MP and chairman of the Foreign and European Affairs Parliamentary Standing Committee.